Book

Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality

Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality is a collection of inspiring stories about how to integrate feminist and LGBTQ content into curriculum, make it part of a vision for social justice, and create classrooms and schools that nurture all children and their families.

How do you respond when a child asks: “Can a girl turn into a boy?”

What if your daughter brings home school books with sexist, racist stories?

What does “queering the curriculum” really mean? What does it look like?

"In this moment when forces are rallying to demonize all forms of difference, we must recommit to leveraging feminist, queer, and intersectional politics to trouble education. Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality showcases a diverse sampling of possibilities for doing precisely that. Read and act on this book today!"— Kevin Kumashiro, author of Against Common Sense: Teaching And Learning Toward Social Justice and Dean of the University of San Francisco School of Education

"One of the most important books I’ve read in a long time. It should be mandatory reading for anyone involved in education. The essays are so thoughtful and passionate—but, more than that, they’re engaging. I found myself eager to get back to this collection, wanting to quote from every writer I read in here."— Jacqueline Woodson, award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality—11

What does the new misogyny mean for teachers and schools? What does “queering our schools” look like? Does gay marriage mean equality? What’s next? The articles in this chapter define critical issues and set the context for the rest of the book.

Introduction—12Jody Sokolower

The New MisogynyWhat it means for teachers and classrooms.—17Editors of Rethinking Schools

How do we create classrooms and schools that nurture all children as they grow and develop? What are the interrelationships between racism, sexism, and homophobia? How do we help children talk about these issues from preschool on? Parents, teachers, and youth share experiences, strategies, and insights.

The Character of Our ContentA parent confronts bias in early elementary literature—66Jennifer Holladay

Believe Me the First Time—72Dale Weiss

7th Graders and Sexism—82Lisa Espinosa

Dressing Up—92Carol Michaels Foresta

When the Gender Boxes Don’t Fit—97Ericka Sokolower-Shain

As a Mom and a Teacher—100Jody Sokolower

Standing Up for Tocarra—103Tina Owen

In Search of Safe Bathrooms—108Mia Cristerna

“Aren’t There Any Poor Gay People Besides Me?”Teaching LGBTQ issues in the rural South—110Stephanie Anne Shelton

Untitled—119Deanna Gao

Chapter 3: Our Curriculum—121

We can’t rethink sexism, gender, and sexuality without radically transforming curriculum. But what does that mean concretely? This chapter includes articles on sex-positive and inclusive sex education, teaching women’s and LGBTQ history, creating books and plays, re-envisioning the classics, analyzing popular culture, and more.

Introduction—122Jeff Sapp

Disarming the Nuclear FamilyCreating a classroom book that reflects the class.—126Willow McCormick

Sex Talk on the CarpetIncorporating gender and sexuality into 5th-grade curriculum—130Valdine Ciwko

“Should I come out to my students? When? How? What can I do to protect myself?” “I’m an ally—how can I be supportive?” The stories in this chapter illuminate approaches, problems, and rewards.

Introduction—264Jeff Sapp

“My Teacher Is a Lesbian”Coming out at school—266Jody Sokolower

Two Men and an Imaginary Dog—273Shawn Chisty

Challenging Homophobia in the ClassroomLessons from two students—278 Lidia Gonzalez

Transsexuals Teaching Your Children—284Loren Krywanczyk

“She’s for Real” An 8th-grade teacher comes out—291Tracy Wagner

A Xican@ Teacher’s Journey—295Marisa Castro

Chapter 5: Beyond the Classroom—301

How do we create healing space for young Black women? What can a school do to support trans children? How do you get a district to change its policies and practice? Parents, teachers, activists, administrators, and a children’s book author share their stories of support, advocacy, literature, and activism.

Introduction—302Rachel L. S. Harper

Ask Me Who I Am—305Sam Stiegler

We Begin to Know Each Other—310Maiya Jackson

Space for Young Black WomenAn interview with Candice Valenzuela—319Jody Sokolower

How do we help new—and veteran—teachers feel more confident and competent to bring explorations of sexism, gender, and sexuality into their classrooms? Teacher educators and parents suggest approaches, curriculum, and resources.